My reborn husband and son are thinking about how to kill me every day.

Shi Pengzu and his family traveled a long and arduous journey to Ningcheng, where they finally managed to escape. They thought things would be alright once they arrived.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving in Ningcheng, they discovered that Ningcheng was not peaceful either.

He rolled his eyes at the person who doubted him and cursed, "You're insane! I've been carrying my whole family, and we almost lost our lives the whole way. You doubt that I'm acting?"

After he finished cursing, he didn't bother with the people who questioned him and went to discuss things with his older cousin who had fled with him.

The Shi family were in business; they weren't extremely wealthy, but they were certainly not short of food and drink.

Shi Pengzu was a decisive man. After realizing something was wrong, he immediately packed up his valuables and fled with his wife and children.

His eldest cousin, Shi Guangzu, also fled with him.

He turned to his eldest cousin and said, "Ningcheng has been burned down, and these people are causing trouble. It seems we can't stay in Ningcheng anymore. My suggestion is that we shouldn't linger in Ningcheng. What do you think?"

Shi Guangzu said, "That's what I was thinking too, but where would be a good place to go?"

Shi Pengzu frowned and sighed, saying, "There is war now, and it is not peaceful anywhere."

Shi Guangzu was also in low spirits.

He thought for a moment and said, "Why don't we go to Kyoto? That's where the emperor lives, so it's definitely safer than other places."

After thinking it over, Shi Pengzu felt that his elder cousin made sense, so he immediately made a decision and led his family to flee to the capital.

After the Shi family left, refugees arrived in Ningcheng one after another.

People who initially didn't believe it, but were now forced to believe it.

These people also brought more information.

"You have no idea how terrible that plague is. I heard that if you get even a little close, you'll be in so much pain that you break out in a cold sweat, foam at the mouth, and collapse on the ground, unable to even walk. It's incredibly ruthless."

"I'm afraid everyone in Yaoguang County is going to die. It's too tragic! Too tragic!"

……

The people who fled to Ningcheng were talking about news related to the plague.

The people who had been making a fuss, demanding that Ji Yunshuang come out and give them an explanation, were dumbfounded.

He asked tremblingly, "Is what you're saying true?"

The person she asked rolled their eyes and said, "How could that be false? If it weren't for the plague, why would I have bothered to escape?"

Thinking of their family's fields, some people started to cry.

The protesters asked, "What about the government? Doesn't the government care?"

"I heard that the government sent troops there before, but it seems that the troops never came out and were probably wiped out there!"

"What can the government do? That's a plague!"

"Of course, that's a plague!"

"Why are there so many disasters!"

……

Jiang Yuanliang hid in the crowd, listening to people's conversation, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

How could it be such a coincidence?

It just so happens that a plague broke out at this time.

He gathered his men and took them to a secluded place.

As soon as everyone gathered together, Wu Yang couldn't wait to say, "It seems the plague is real. What should we do? Can our plans still be carried out?"

Jiang Yuanliang said, "Even if the plague is real, it's not a problem, and it can still be used."

As he spoke, he gestured for the men to come closer and whispered a few words in their ears.

After hearing his explanation, someone asked with some concern, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Wu Yang also said, "This is a plague!"

"What about the plague?" Jiang Yuanliang said, "If things aren't done well, do you think the Prince will listen to your excuses and not punish you?"

After thinking about it, everyone fell silent.

Jiang Yuanliang said, "Just do as I say."

No one said anything more, and they all followed Jiang Yuanliang's instructions and went about their tasks separately.

Soon, new rumors began to circulate in Ningcheng.

It is said that the plague in Yaoguang County was a punishment from Heaven. Heaven was displeased with Prince Rui's apathy and indifference, and sent Ji Yunshuang to set fire to Ningcheng to satisfy his own selfish desires, thus bringing down this punishment.

If the plague is to be quelled, criminals must commit suicide as a sacrifice to appease the heavens' anger.

No one thought about why Heaven punished Prince Rui and Ji Yunshuang instead of directly punishing them, but instead punishing innocent people.

People believed it.

In particular, some people who had to abandon their homes and flee because of the plague.

They believed this rumor wholeheartedly.

He blamed all the suffering he had endured on Prince Rui and Ji Yunshuang, constantly cursing and venting his anger.

They left Ningcheng and fled to other places, also taking with them the claim that the plague was divine punishment for Prince Rui and Ji Yunshuang.

Compared to before, when only refugees from the Ningcheng fire disliked Prince Rui and Ji Yunshuang, now more people dislike both of them.

Jiang Yuanliang was satisfied with how things were developing and sent another message to King Xuan, which earned the king's praise.

News of what happened in Ningxing Prefecture also reached Jiangzhou.

Some officials who were already dissatisfied with Ji Yunshuang, a woman, leading troops, took this opportunity to speak to Prince Rui.

"Your Highness, Ji Shi is, after all, a woman. Women are good at staying at home to take care of their husbands and raise their children, but how could they be officials?"

Chief Secretary Wei twitched his beard and said, "Look at all the trouble she's caused since she went to Ningxing Prefecture. She's ruined her own reputation, and now she's ruined yours, Your Highness."

Commander Gu also said, "Your Highness, why don't we summon Lieutenant General Ji back? She may have some ability in warfare, but she lacks administrative skills. I believe we should send someone with administrative skills to Ningxing Prefecture."

Prince Rui gave Gu Jingwu a look of approval and asked, "Then, in your opinion, who should be sent?"

Gu Jingwu said, "In my opinion, we should send the Second Young Master. The Second Young Master has the talent to govern the world. If he goes, he will surely be able to govern Ningxing Prefecture well and restore the Prince's prestige."

"You all think so too?" Prince Rui asked the remaining officials in the hall.

Wei Xiao said, "I also believe that the Ji family is incompetent and should be dismissed and punished."

Prince Rui sent someone to summon Fu Zhe and said, "Chief Clerk Wei and Commander Gu both believe that Assistant General Ji is incapable of governing and should be sent to Ningxing Prefecture. What do you think?"

Fu Zhe clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Your subject dares not overstep his bounds..."

Prince Rui waved his hand and said, "Tell me boldly, if you were to go to Ningxing Prefecture, how would you deal with the plague?"

Fu Zhe cursed Fu Ci in his heart.

He must have wanted to harm me, deliberately getting Chief Clerk Wei and Commander Gu to push me to Ningxing Prefecture.

He not only embarrassed himself, but also sowed discord in front of his father, saying that he was secretly cultivating his own power.

That's truly ruthless.

But now, his father is looking at him with expectation in his eyes.

If he cannot come up with a good solution, he will fall into his trap.

Fu Zhe's mind raced, and because he couldn't come up with a solution, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his back.

Prince Rui tapped the table lightly with his index finger. "No good ideas?"